Enterprise Process Management (BPM) is a comprehensive business process management approach applied to systematically model the way businesses operate, implement process improvements, and standardize processes.
The main goal of BPM is to minimize human errors and increase organizational efficiency by facilitating communication among those involved in the business.
BPM (Business Process Management) can be applied across a wide range of areas, from order management to production processes, delivery operations to collection procedures, financial management to human resources processes.
The broad discipline and dynamic nature of BPM stem from the continuous change in organizational roles, rules, tactics, and business objectives. Over the years, BPM has evolved by adapting to various optimization methodologies, from Six Sigma and Lean Management to Agile Management.
Types of BPM Technologies (BPM Software)
Business process management software (BPMS) are comprehensive technology solutions designed to automate the improvement of business processes.
These systems offer an integrated collection of different technology types.
Core BPM Technology Components:
- Process Mining Tools: These tools are used for the discovery, representation, and analysis of tasks that drive business processes, enabling detailed examination of existing processes.
- BPMN Tools: Business Process Management Notation tools are used to convert business processes into visual diagrams, facilitating process modeling and documentation.
- Workflow Engines: Designed to automate the flow of tasks that complete a business process and support workflow management, these engines ensure smooth process operation.
- Business Rules Engines (BREs): These systems provide operational flexibility by allowing end users to change business rules without the help of a programmer.
Advanced BPM Technologies:
- Intelligent BPMS (iBPMS): Introduced by Gartner, this concept includes the integration of advanced technologies such as real-time analytics, machine learning, complex event processing, and business activity monitoring.
- Low-Code/No-Code (LCNC) Technology: Enables business analysts and users to model new business processes without relying on professional coders.
- RPA Integration: The complementary partnership of robotic process automation with BPM enables the automation of manual, repetitive, and rule-based tasks.
Best BPM Practices and Platforms
BPM software and platforms form the critical technological infrastructure that allows companies to manage business processes in a digital environment. Thanks to these platforms, processes gain comprehensive functions such as modeling, monitoring, automation, and optimization.
Market-leading BPM (Business Process Management) platforms:
- Appian: A platform that stands out with its low-code application development capabilities, offering rapid process design and implementation.
- Pega Systems: Provides strong solutions in AI-powered process automation and customer experience management.
- IBM Business Process Manager: IBM’s flagship BPM solution, offering comprehensive process management and integration capabilities at the enterprise level.
- Bizagi: A platform preferred by medium-sized businesses for its user-friendly interface and powerful modeling tools.
- Oracle BPM Suite: A comprehensive process management solution that works integrated with Oracle’s broad technology ecosystem.
- Nintex: A platform that offers easy use with its drag-and-drop interface, especially compatible with the Microsoft ecosystem.
- BonitaSoft: An open-source BPM solution that offers a cost-effective alternative.
- Kissflow: A cloud-based, easy-to-use BPM platform focused on small and medium-sized businesses.
When choosing a platform, factors such as the size of the organization, technical infrastructure, budget, and process complexity should be considered.
Why is BPM (Business Process Management) Process Management Important?
Business process management has become one of the cornerstones of modern business because effective business processes are vital for corporate success.
Core Dynamics of Corporate Success
The importance of BPM stems from its support for companies’ core business operations. Critical processes such as developing and producing a new product, fulfilling a product order, managing customer services, and onboarding a new employee may require approvals to complete.
A well-designed business process breaks these tasks into structured, repeatable steps that employees can follow to produce consistent results. These repeatable steps help organizations predict the resources they need, minimizing the risk of under- or over-allocation.
Rapid Change Dynamics of the 21st Century
Today’s intense pace of business change makes BPM even more critical for organizations. As BPM expert Daniel Morris emphasizes: “Trying to catch up is no longer a viable strategy — everything is changing too fast.” Successful companies must be able to respond quickly and effectively to changing needs.
BPM’s ability to facilitate cost-effective, low-risk, and rapid business process change forms its core value proposition. According to Morris, BPM “allows you to continually reinvent your business operations, inject innovation as you go, and do so over the long term.”
Advantages of Enterprise Process Management
BPM’s structured approach to managing business processes offers multi-dimensional advantages that enhance business quality and operational efficiency.
- Increased Efficiency: The automation and optimization process accelerates workflows and maximizes operational efficiency by eliminating manual errors. Facilitating the management and tracking of business processes through modeling significantly increases organizational performance.
- Minimization of Error Rates: BPM’s focus on standardizing processes dramatically reduces the risk of human error. Standardized business processes ensure quality assurance by minimizing errors in the workflow.
- Cost Optimization: Automating business processes minimizes labor and time loss, providing significant cost advantages.
- Flexibility and Adaptation Capacity: Organizations can quickly adapt to changing market conditions, and new processes can be easily integrated. This flexibility provides a critical competitive advantage in the dynamic business environment of the 21st century.
- Performance Monitoring and Control: Embedded analytics provide managers with greater visibility into process performance and help identify bottlenecks. Thanks to KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), the performance of business processes can be measured and continuously improved.
- Improvement of Customer Experience: More efficient business processes enable faster and higher-quality service to customers, increasing customer satisfaction and building long-term customer loyalty.
A well-implemented BPM program creates comprehensive benefits that enable businesses to gain a competitive advantage.
5 Steps of BPM Activities (Stages of the BPM Life Cycle)
The BPM life cycle consists of five main stages that enable businesses to carry out process improvement projects systematically and in a structured manner.
1. Design Stage
In this critical stage, both existing and new processes are designed, and the representation of the process flow, standard procedures, and task mechanisms are determined. Existing business processes are examined in detail, and inefficient points and bottlenecks are identified.
The main goal at this stage is to ensure that a new design is created efficiently and correctly. For existing processes, the design should be synchronized and should not cause process disruption.
2. Modeling Stage
In this stage, which deals with theoretical design, process models are created based on variable combinations. BPMN (Business Process Management Notation) language is used during modeling.
How the redesigned business process operates in different scenarios is analyzed, and the feasibility of the processes is tested through simulations and pilot projects.
3. Implementation Stage
This is the stage where the designed and modeled business process is put into operation.
Improvements, including standardization and process automation, are implemented, necessary software is deployed, and integration processes are completed.
Comprehensive training is provided to employees about the new processes, and performance is monitored throughout the implementation process, with real-time improvements made as needed.
4. Monitoring Stage
This is the critical stage where process control and performance information are provided after the process goes live.
How the improvements perform is monitored, performance indicators are continuously tracked, and the performance of employees involved in a particular process is evaluated. The time spent on the business process is tracked, and actions to be taken in case of errors are determined.
5. Optimization Stage
This is the final stage, where performance information is obtained after the modeling or monitoring stage, and necessary analyses are performed to implement improvements for cost or other issues.
The identified improvements are then used in the design and modeling stages. This stage forms the cornerstone of the continuous improvement philosophy and reinforces the cyclical nature of BPM.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered the most frequently asked questions about key concepts and abbreviations related to BPM (Business Process Management).
What does BPM stand for?
BPM stands for “Business Process Management.” In Turkish, it is referred to as “Kurumsal Süreç Yönetimi” or “İş Süreçleri Yönetimi.”
BPM is a broad concept that encompasses both a discipline and technological solutions.
What is the BPM extension?
The BPM extension usually refers to the “.bpmn” (Business Process Model and Notation) file format used in process modeling files.
This file extension is the standard format in which process diagrams and models created in BPMN language are stored. BPMN files enable the sharing and transfer of process models between different BPM platforms.
What does CRM BPM mean?
CRM BPM refers to the integration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) with Business Process Management.
This concept means optimizing and automating customer service processes using BPM methodologies.
CRM BPM applications are used to improve customer experience, accelerate sales processes, and increase customer satisfaction.